A failed diplomatic mission to the Khozgari results in a speedy escape for Conan and the soldier Jamal. Retreating to the hills, Conan almost kills a girl who attempts to ambush them, and turns out to be the princess of the Khozgari, Shanya. The two men force Shanya to lead them safely through the demon-infested Misty Mountains. After a bit of a ride, the mists rises, and they come across a sacrificial altar and hear demonic laughing. A boulder falls from the sky and crushes Jamal, and a noose rips Shanya out of Conan's hands into the air. Conan evades another noose, and kills the humanoid, musky ape creatures who ambushed them. He follows the sickening stench to a stone citadel in the mountain, where Shanya is tied to a bed. A hunched elderly man tells Shanya that she will bear his and his sons children, or he will give her to a mysterious creature behind a mist-shrouded door, the very sight of which terrifies the girl. Meanwhile, Conan makes short work of the citadel's guards, all of whom seem to be wearing a bizarre transparent mask. Conan takes a mask and confronts the elderly man and his guards inside. The mists are called again, and Conan swings blindly until he realizes his opponents had put on masks before they fought him. He puts the mask he stole on and discovers he can see through the mists, and quickly ends the battle. At this, the head man opens the door and releases a giant spider-crab-creature with his dying breath. Conan pulls a stone from a stacked pyramid of stones, and brings the whole collection down on the creature as Conan and Shanya make their escape, Shanya more than happy to show her gratitude to the barbarian for rescuing her...